Solutions Architect

Babble Cloud

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Babble is seeking a Solutions Architect to design and deliver integrated technology solutions for its internal operations, systems and ways of working. Reporting to the Head of Technology, the role works with internal stakeholders to agree requirements, develop solutions, and advise on technical and commercial implications. The role also maps and documents Babble’s technology landscape, owns and maintains the systems catalogue, and assesses new solutions against technology strategy, the existing ecosystem, industry best practice, security, cost and supportability.

The Solutions Architect provides technical leadership and solution oversight from design through delivery and handover, using traditional or agile delivery methods as required. The role includes line management of the Systems Team, coaching and mentoring colleagues, and communicating with audiences ranging from senior leadership to technical SMEs and support staff. It is a full-time, office-based position.

Requirements

• Level 5 qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant technical field, and relevant recognised IT industry qualifications such as Microsoft or TOGAF, or equivalent experience.
• Proven track record in a lead technical role, including team management and leadership directing technical SMEs.
• Significant experience as a technical lead delivering complex technical solutions on high-impact projects.
• Substantial experience with Microsoft products such as Azure and M365, and extensive experience implementing and integrating Microsoft-based technical solutions.
• Significant experience designing and implementing complex Windows and application solutions.
• Significant experience designing and implementing solutions on Microsoft Azure and integrating other products and cloud services.
• Broad solution architecture knowledge across Applications, Data, Technology, Security and Service, including integrating technical and non-technical or commercial domains.
• Experience producing procedural documentation and using ITIL best practice.
• Ability to create HLD, LLD and Work Package documentation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including explaining solution concepts clearly to non-technical audiences.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, prioritisation and time-management skills, with the ability to work across several projects simultaneously.
• Subject matter expertise, coaching and mentoring skills, including experience line managing and developing a technical team.
• Excellent knowledge of enterprise systems, hosting and security operations, and strong understanding of the IT industry, particularly tools, services and standards.
• Understanding of internal and external drivers affecting technology and systems, and of ICT strategy, roadmaps and standards.
• Experience mapping and documenting technology landscapes, systems and integrations, and maintaining systems catalogues or equivalent records as a single source of truth.
• Ability to assess solutions against technology strategy, the existing ecosystem and industry best practice while balancing commercial and delivery considerations.
• Ability to work collaboratively on project teams and execute work in a structured manner aligned with project deliverables.

Nice To Haves

• Understanding of technology marketplace trends and how to apply them to add internal value.
• Experience and/or certification in architecture frameworks such as TOGAF.
• Experience using enterprise architecture tools and modelling notations such as ArchiMate, BPMN, DMN, CMMN or UML.
• Experience and/or certification in other IT frameworks such as ITIL, IT4IT, SAFe and/or COBIT.
• Experience with Agile working methods and DevOps, such as Azure DevOps Services.
• Understanding of planning environment migration and transformation from a baseline to a target state using Enterprise Architecture techniques, including migrating workloads from on premises to cloud.
• General infrastructure knowledge across virtual and physical environments, including on-premises and cloud technologies.
• Awareness of architecture tools and experience undertaking governance and assurance activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead solution design and delivery from design through implementation and handover, including hands-on work where required.
• Work with senior stakeholders to determine and document solution requirements and ensure solutions meet business needs.
• Coordinate technical and non-technical workstreams and direct technical SMEs during solution design, delivery and implementation.
• Identify dependencies between technical and non-technical solution components to support integrated delivery.
• Map and document Babble’s technology landscape, including systems, applications and integrations.
• Own and maintain the systems catalogue and keep system and interface documentation accurate, complete, current and accessible.
• Assess new solutions against technology strategy, the existing ecosystem, industry best practice, security, cost and supportability.
• Identify gaps, overlaps and risks in the technology landscape and recommend remediation or consolidation.
• Produce HLD, LLD and Work Package documentation.
• Support technology business cases and investment proposals.
• Support project and programme managers in assessing risks, dependencies, issues, constraints and their potential impacts.
• Assess whether proposed solutions align with intended business outcomes.
• Participate in or lead governance and assurance reviews and ensure solutions undergo required technical and commercial assurance.
• Line manage, coach and develop the Systems Team, identifying capacity, capability and resilience needs and keeping skills current.
• Contribute to the wider Technology Team through peer reviews, audits, assurance and due diligence.
• Share knowledge and mentor colleagues to develop internal technical capability.

Benefits

• Statutory pension provision
• 20 days’ statutory sick pay
• Statutory maternity and paternity leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed